Angela Eagle: Two years ago I announced our commitment to a fundamental change in how the criminal justice system deals with women. In December last year we reported on the substantial progress made through the Government's strategy to divert women away from crime.
	Today, I am announcing the creation of a Women's Diversionary Fund, a £2 million joint funding venture between the Ministry of Justice and the Corston Independent Funders' Coalition. The Women's Diversionary Fund will offer grants of up to two years and will assist us in consolidating good progress and in taking forward our strategy to divert women from crime, and reduce reoffending.
	This exciting partnership between the Ministry of Justice and the alliance of charitable trusts forming the coalition represents a commitment on both sides to transform further the way women are treated by the criminal justice system. By working together in this exceptional way we will build on the initiatives already announced.
	The fund will focus on:
	service development or continuation, meeting gaps and further developing services; and
	building organisational capacity.
	This new initiative will support further growth in community services for women and contribute to building the confidence of courts in alternatives to custody.